Winter Themes in Classical Music: Music for Long Evenings
For the composers of the Classical era, the magic of winter, the swirling snowflakes and the stillness of the season were a source of inspiration. Especially in Austria, where winters could be quite long.
Music in Winter: Joy and Melancholy
Winter and the Waltz King
Winter is also the season in which Austrians love to celebrate extensively. In Vienna alone, more than 400 balls are staged every winter. This joyful celebration was immortalized by the king of the waltz, Johann Strauss Son (1825-1899), in his famous operetta „Die Fledermaus.“
An opulent ball hosted by the Russian Prince Orlofsky sets the stage for many mistakes and misunderstandings. The operetta is immensely popular in Austria, in part thanks to the annual performances at Vienna’s Volksoper on New Year’s Eve and at many other stages in the country. With its numerous catchy melodies, the “Fledermaus” has become a true evergreen. The lyrics are equally memorable and approach the hurdles of life - the story includes such monumental problems as infidelity and fraud - in typically Viennese fashion, that is, with gentle irony: „Happy is he who forgets what cannot be changed...“